SACRAMENTO - Today, California Air Resources Chairman Mary D. Nichols issued the following statement related to North America 2050.  NA2050 facilitates state and provincial efforts to design, promote and implement cost-effective policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create economic opportunities.   The important role of NA2050 was included in the announcement last week by the Western Climate Initiative of the formation WCI Inc., a new non-profit corporation formed to provide administrative and technical services to support the implementation of state and provincial greenhouse gas emissions trading programs.

STATEMENT:

“California, along with state and provincial representatives from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), the Western Climate Initiative (WCI), and the Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord (Midwest Accord), is delighted to introduce North America 2050 (NA 2050), as the next phase of the 3-Regions Collaborative, which began in 2009.

We have high hopes that this effort will enable our state and provincial partners to join us in taking comprehensive action that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and creates economic opportunities.  Whether through adopting California's Advanced Clean Cars program, or implementing a Low Carbon Fuel Standard, or requiring energy efficiency audits for major industrial polluters, or requiring electrical utilities to serve their customers with renewable energy, there are many opportunities for states and provinces to take real, measurable steps to cut carbon emissions and reduce petroleum dependency.  
 
 California is continuing to work through the Western Climate Initiative (WCI) to put in place the most comprehensive cap-and-trade program designed to date.  After several years of study and deliberation, the National Academy of Sciences recommended pricing carbon emissions to drive major investments in energy efficiency and low-carbon technologies as part of a comprehensive strategy. 

Just this week, an independent study of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) confirmed that recommendation, finding that the RGGI cap-and-trade program has increased economic growth and job creation in the participating states. We are confident that the successful track record and economic benefits of cap-and-trade programs will encourage additional states and provinces to join us in leading the clean energy economy.”

RESOURCES: 

1. For America’s Climate Choices, from the National Academy of Science see: http://dels.nas.edu/Report/Americas-Climate-Choices/12781
2. For RGGI Study, see: http://www.analysisgroup.com/rggi.aspx  ("The Economic Impacts of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative on Ten Northeast and Mid-Atlantic States," by The Analysis Group).  
3. For a fact sheet on NA2050, see: http://www.westernclimateinitiative.org/document-archives/general/North-America-2050-Fact-Sheet/
4. For the announcement of the formation of WCI Inc. see: http://www.westernclimateinitiative.org/news-and-updates/137-western-climate-initiative-jurisdictions-establish-non-profit-corporation-to-support-greenhouse-gas-emissions-trading-programs